Meet the Silver Lotus Family

A resident of Wauconda, it has been a dream to offer Yoga in our community. Presented with an amazing opportunity I am so grateful to host a new Yoga community. My appreciation to the teachers and students that have joined me on this journey.

 My Yoga journey began in my mid teens. Under the trees in a national forest, I first experienced the clarity, energy and unity the Yoga technologies create. The benefits of the Yoga technology are my motivation to share this ancient Science to all. A continuing journey it has been my quest to learn more techniques to share Yoga's benefits. I welcome students of all ages and encourage families to join in practice together. As I work to provide a holistic approach I received my Reiki master teacher certification. When I am not practicing Yoga I can be found at All Ways Healthy, which has provided me with many years education and support to my passion for health.  

 I hope you too will experience the benefits of Yoga and begin your journey at Silver Lotus.

I discovered yoga in the early 1980’s, became passionate about my practice in the mid to late 90’s and started teaching in 2003. In 2007 I received my 500 hour training at the Himalayan Yoga and Meditation Center in Palatine.

Having trained with Shirley Walter in the traditional Himalayan lineage of Lotus Yoga Centre, which was founded by Swami Rama with Shirley, I carried on the tradition of teaching and certifying teachers with the guidance of Shirley after she retired in 2010. Lotus Yoga Centre has been a home based studio for fourteen years where I taught ongoing yoga/meditation classes as well as spiritual study groups. In 2017 we sold our home and I started teaching at studio’s in the area, as well as leading the yoga teachers training program at Silver Lotus Studio in Wauconda and Yoga Bee’s 3 in McHenry. I currently also teach at Lake Barrington Shores.

I began my yoga journey in 2016, as a longtime distance runner I wanted to try something that wasn’t so strenuous on my joints. I stumbled upon Yoga with Adrienne on YouTube, and it was love at first sight. Through daily practice I gained knowledge of breath (pranayama) from a perspective I was unaware of before.  The energy I received in this practice made me not only want to learn more, but to be able to teach it to others. In 2019 I completed my 200 -hour RYT, studying under Anita Maher (in the traditional Himalayan lineage) at Silver Lotus Studio. As a teacher I continue to practice with all age groups, body types, and mobility levels. I want others to receive the same energy yoga has brought into my life. It doesn’t matter if you can’t touch your toes. If you can become present and aware of your breath on or off the mat, you are becoming a yogi. Namaste.

I first came to yoga in 2010 while attending University. During my first class I cried, my wrists ached, and I felt incredibly uncomfortable - and I was hooked; I knew yoga would be an important part of my path. 

 I could not afford to practice regularly, so I became a Karma yogi - cleaning the studio floors and bathrooms in exchange for classes. I was energized by the community with the variety of teachers and classes, as well as the concentration on the history and spirituality of yoga, beyond the Asanas (physical postures). 

I decided to pursue my teaching certification in 2013 in hopes to spread yoga to every body, every where and be part of the movement to make yoga accessible to all. In 2014 I graduated from the Shanti Yoga Shala school of New Orleans, LA. 

I approach yoga holistically, with hopes to decrease the westernized appropriation while honoring the lineage and ancient teachings of yoga. 

In addition to teaching, I operate Starflower Wellness, a health centered business providing individualized and specialized products and services.  

I am most whole in nature, a lover of life,  and a passionate gardener. 

I look forward to sharing space and building community at Silver Lotus.

I first discovered yoga in college while I was working part time in a fitness center. After my initial introduction, I developed my own practice at home that I followed until I found the Himalayan Yoga and Meditation Center in Palatine. It was here that I found the spiritual piece and the community that I had been missing. I was fortunate to take classes with Chenoa while she taught at HYMC, where I received a deep understanding of the Himalayan tradition. When I moved to Wauconda in 2016, I was thrilled to find Silver Lotus! It had been a dream of mine to get my teaching certification for several years; and when I found that Silver Lotus was hosting teacher training through Lotus Yoga Centre and Anita Maher, I knew I was being guided to finally pursue my certification.  

My yoga practice has helped my through the stresses of being a working mom, and has bolstered me through my own health issues. I am especially grateful for the Restorative practice that I have developed over the last couple years. Learning the importance of allowing the body time and space to restore has been invaluable for me. In addition to my normal daily practice, at the very least, I will always end my day with at least 15 minutes in Legs Up the Wall pose! I am always eager to teach the value not only of the active yoga postures, but also the restorative yoga poses. Incorporating both into your practice creates the balance that we all desire.

Erin's Yoga practice started out with a simple curiosity in her mid twenties. After taking classes on and off and working many years in a physically demanding job, dealing with anxiety and taking up cycling she returned to Yoga consistently. Yoga allowed her to discover balance, strength and flexibility in both body and mind. After several years of experiencing such benefits she chose to get her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Certification at Himalayan Yoga and Meditation Center. 

"In becoming a part of the Yoga community I have a true sense of being where I belong. I want to share the benefits I experience and the knowledge I gain to cultivate positivity in others. I believe the world would be a better place if more people practiced Yoga."

My yoga journey truly began in 2016 when I attended prenatal yoga classes while pregnant with my first child. I quickly realized that yoga is more than just exercise for the body. Yoga helped me throughout my pregnancy and birth, in both body and mind. During the somewhat difficult birth of my first child, I found myself using tools and techniques I had learned from the prenatal classes. After that, I wanted to learn more about this wonderful new part of my life, so I signed up for yoga teacher training with Anita Maher at Lotus Yoga Centre and completed my 200YTT in 2019. I knew I wanted to share my love of the practice with other new and expecting mothers, so I went on to take 25hr prenatal teacher training with Dana Robinson at Sweet Feet Yoga. I practiced and taught pre/postnatal yoga throughout my second pregnancy, and now I am beyond excited to be teaching at Silver Lotus! When I'm not practicing yoga, I love to crochet, garden, explore, spend time with my family, and I'm an active member of The Kirk Players community theatre group. I reside in Wauconda, and am looking forward to connecting with others in this community.

Stephanie Mattson (Subtly Stephanie Yoga) discovered her love of yoga in her early 20’s and realized her need for yoga in her late 30’s. Yoga has helped Stephanie realize her best self, allowing for deep healing, mindfulness, strength, and flexibility both on and off the mat. Stephanie feels Yoga is the one “thing” you can do that supports and benefits the WHOLE person, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and THAT is her motivation!

Stephanie became a registered Certified Yoga Instructor (RYT200) through the Lotus Yoga Center in 2021. She feels that learning is never ending, and is always eager to learn and grow with each workshop, training, and experience with clients. Stephanie is grateful for the knowledge and personal growth she has gained and has enthusiastically jumped in to share the gift that is Yoga.

Stephanie outside of the studio is a mom of 2 teenagers, a substitute teacher, and a wife of 23+ years. She loves hanging out with family, snuggling with her fur babies, kayaking, cooking and eating, and time spent with her friends. She teaches her classes from an authentic place and holds an all inclusive, non judgemental space for her students to grow their whole selves, mind, body, and soul. Stephanie’s classes tend to be on the gentle side, allowing for plenty of practice expanding opportunities.

Come check out Stephanie’s workshops and classes offered at Silver Lotus. She can’t wait to meet you and have you join the Yoga Community

Patty Wisniewski received her YTT200 in February of 2020 from the Lotus Yoga Centre and started teaching soon afterwards.  

Patty discovered yoga after her last Ironman Triathlon.  Her body and her mind needed a break from long distance training.  She discovered yoga to be just as challenging, but in a gentler, kinder, centered and more mindful way.  She learned to listen to her body and connect her breath to her body.  

She also learned that yoga is not just about poses.  Yoga is a way of life.  It is not competitive.  She soon let go of what other yogis could do and learned to listen to her body and modify poses to fit her practice, wherever her practice leads her on any given day.  Yoga has given Patty strength and flexibility both on and off the mat.

Patty loves bringing a bit of playfulness and inspiration to her students.  She loves teaching beginners and gentle yoga classes, because she believes just about everyone can do yoga.  We just need to get out of our heads and listen to what our bodies are telling us.   She believes it is very important to let students know that it’s not so much about the pose itself.  It’s all about connecting your mind, body and breath to the pose.  It’s not about what your neighbor on the mat next to you is doing.  It’s about letting go of the preconceived notion of what we should be able to do or what we can’t do.  Patty learned that our yoga practice evolves by learning how to correctly get into a pose and learning to bring our breath to each and every pose.  

Patty loves yoga because she never knows what challenge her yoga practice will present itself to her on any particular day.  It could be balance, strength, getting out of her head, connecting to her breath, or anything.  Yoga taught Patty to just be mindful of it all and let it go and that some days are better than others, and that’s perfectly fine.

Patty believes yoga grounds us and inspires us to live each moment more mindfully.

Ann is an integrative bodyworker, yoga instructor and a student of clinical herbalism with a certificate in Basic Herbalism for Bodyworkers from the Zen Shiatsu Institute. She has trained in multiple bodywork modalities, enabling her to address health issues from many angles. Her focus is on helping people build strong immune systems, resolve chronic health conditions, heal properly from injuries and safely manage side effects of medications. 

Ann aims to offer bodywork as one aspect of healing. She educates and encourages clients to explore, discover and embrace lifestyle behaviors that best serve their potential to be happy, healthy and whole.

Dalal is an Energy Medicine Practitioner that has been practicing since 2007.  She uses a variety of healing modalities and techniques in her session to fit the individual needs of her clients.  She is certified in Full Spectrum Healing, Reiki, IET, Angel healing and Jorei.  She is guided by her intuition and the energy of the client.  

"I believe that the body can heal itself from anything from emotional trauma to physical disabilities as long as you give your body and mind the space it needs to run the healing energy through it.  We  are so powerful but have forgotten the power we each hold within us.  Healing comes from the client, I just provide the space to allow it to happen,"  Dalal works a lot with Angel energy and the energy of our higher selves, our guides and the universal energy of love.

I began my yoga and Shamanic journey in 2014 when I was exposed to Shamanism for guidance and answers.  My yoga journey taught me the power of meditation, breathing exercises, and how yoga poses help move blocked energy.  Shortly after completion of my yoga certificate, I started learning Shamanism. I was astounded by the power having this special connection with Spirit.  I help provide this connection for individuals to become connected with Spirit.  If you are interested in learning more about Shamanism, please reach out for a Shamanic journey or intuitive awakening.